Chicken Feeding Guidebook for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Raising nutritious chickens starts off with good diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Just about every stage of lifetime is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and Over-all effectively-remaining. Irrespective of whether you're elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their changing nutritional desires assists assure a happy and productive flock. This rooster feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day just one to their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Outdated)
The very first number of months of the chick’s everyday living are vital. All through this era, chicks involve high-protein starter feed to support rapid growth and improvement. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, along with the correct balance of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (much easier for small beaks to take in)
Health supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from supplying treats way too early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet to be certain balanced diet.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly decrease protein content, generally fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney concerns in younger birds.
Intent: Supports steady progress devoid of encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Avoid layer feed until finally they start laying, as high calcium levels can hurt acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
When your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and an increased degree of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens like crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed QH88 (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding tactic is different. Broilers need a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to aid fast body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart problems.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats can be quite a good nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Offer you healthful options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats total grains or roughage, offer grit to help digestion.
Final Strategies
Often deliver clear, fresh new water—it’s far more vital than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.
Alter feed portions based upon flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Just about every everyday living phase makes sure a flourishing flock, superior egg generation, and less medical issues. With the appropriate eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!